Rosario Dawson Biography

Rosario Dawson (born on May 9, 1979) is an American film and
theatre actress and singer, best known for her roles in the movies Kids, Sin
City, Clerks II, and Rent.

Biography

Rosario was born in New York City to a father of Native American and Irish
descent and a mother of Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban ancestry. According to
recent interviews, the two are now divorced.

Rosario Dawson's film career began unexpectedly when filmmaker Larry Clark saw
her on a Manhattan street and asked her to be in a movie he was making. The
movie, Kids, became a critical success and Dawson's performance was commended.
As a result, Rosario decided to pursue an acting career and attended the Lee
Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Dawson has worked steadily since her
debut, with a mixed amount of commercial and critical success. As of 2006, she
has worked with directors such as Oliver Stone, Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Smith,
Chris Columbus and Spike Lee, and costarred with the likes of
Will Smith,
Edward Norton, Adam Pascal,
wife & husband duo Idina Menzel
& Taye Diggs,
Colin Farrell, and
Clive Owen.

Rosario's film career has been varied, ranging from independent films to massive
big-budget flops to highly successful blockbusters, among them the Spike
Lee-directed He Got Game, opposite Denzel Washington and professional basketball
player Ray Allen, to the second Men in Black film, opposite Will Smith and Tommy
Lee Jones. Rosario Dawson has had leading roles in two flops: Josie and the
Pussycats and The Adventures of Pluto Nash.

In 2005, Rosario appeared on stage as Julia in the Public Theatre revival of
Galt MacDermot's 1971 musical The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Delacorte
Theatre in Central Park, New York (August-September 2005). Next Rosario
portrayed the HIV-positive heroin-addicted exotic dancer Mimi Marquez in the
film adaptation of Rent. It was her first role in a film musical. Some critics
praised Dawson's performance; others panned it, stating that she was not as good
as the actress who originated the role. Also in the same year Dawson had a major
role in the comic book adaptation, Sin City; and she is also scheduled to be in
the film's sequel. Rosario is also working on a role in the movie Descent with
Rent costars Tracie Thoms and Wilson Jermaine Heredia.

In 1999, Rosario teamed up with Prince for his timely re-release of his 1980s
hit "1999". This remixed version featured the actress in an introductory
voiceover, offering commentary on the state of the world in the titular year.
Rosario Dawson is also featured on the music track "She Lives In My Lap" from
the OutKast album The Love Below.

Rosario co-founded Voto Latino in 2004, an organization encouraging American
Latinos to participate in civic government using technology and media. Rosario
spearheaded the first American Latino celebrity voter registration drive in
2004.

Rosario has been described by fans and staff as being extremely 'kind' and 'down
to earth', and is noted for her 'friendly' and 'sociable' attitude during public
appearances. Rosario Dawson has dated former S-- and the City star Jason Lewis.
They reside in Los Angeles. Recently, it was reported that they have separated.